Confrontation at Grouseland

Aug. 12, 1810

Confrontation at Grouseland A print depicting the famous confrontation between Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison at Vincennes, Indiana, in 1810. Tecumseh biographer John Sugden describes this depiction of this "famous event" as "extremely inaccurate", particularly the clothing of the Native Americans (Tecumseh: A Life, 1998, following p. 210).
Outraged at the outcome of the Treaty of Fort Wayne, Tecumseh and 400 armed warriors of his confederacy traveled to Vincennes, Indiana to confront pro-slavery Indiana territorial governor William Henry Harrison. Tecumseh told Harrison the treaty was illegitimate as no single tribe can sell land without approval of the other tribes. This confrontation led to the outbreak of Tecumseh's war which is considered by historians to be a part of the War of 1812. It also immediately preceeded the Red Sticks war, which was also inspired by Tecumseh. We encourage you to read Tecumseh's passionate speech in full.